Bruce Springsteen Discusses His Battle with Depression

September 15, 2016 | Finz & Finz, P.C.

Depression and mood disorders affect millions of Americans every year and the numbers keep growing. Anyone can suffer with depression, even one of the biggest rock stars on the planet. Legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen reveals in his new book that he has struggled with depression for a number of years and how he tries to keep a handle on the demons getting the best of him.

The Boss’ autobiography “Born to Run” is out this month, and the almost 67-year-old dedicates part of the book to discuss his battle with depression. With a family history of mental illness and a difficult relationship with his father, Springsteen first began to see a psychotherapist in the early 1980s. He has had success over the years treating with anti-depressants and continued therapy, but admits depression is something that never leaves you. In true Springsteen fashion, he compared the ongoing battle to a car, where all versions of yourself are inside and, “The important thing is, whose got their hands on wheel at any given moment.”

While depression is not limited to any age group, it is most widespread in adults 45-64. Springsteen says some of the worst bouts of depression occurred for him between the ages of 61 to 62 and 63 to 64, a period where he describes himself as “crushed.” Thankfully his wife has been able to recognize the signs and will take him to a doctor for anti-depressants when she sees the depression is becoming unmanageable.

The Boss has found a course of treatment that works for him but the same cannot be said for millions of other Americans. While up to 80% of people who suffer from depression can be treated effectively with the proper medication and therapy, a staggering 80% of individuals who suffer with depression do not seek treatment. This is while the number of people diagnosed with depression increases by around 20% every year. In many cases, other major illnesses contribute to depression including cancer, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes.

One of the issues that keep people away from medication to treat depression is problems with the medication itself. It can take 4-6 weeks to see an improvement with anti-depressants, and many times patients stop taking the drugs because they do not see an improvement or the side effects are too intense to handle. Non-generic drugs are often quite expensive. Sometimes the dangers associated with the medication are too risky. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs such as Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil and Seroquel may be effective but may also lead to birth defects, tremors and diabetes. Drugs to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder such as Depakote and Zyprexa have even been linked to brain damage.

Treating depression is a constantly expanding field of medicine. Even one of music’s biggest icons had to search to find what worked best for him. However, when medication does more damage to your health and well-being instead of helping the problem, there can be serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been affected by a defective drug, the idea of taking on the large pharmaceutical companies may seem like an impossible undertaking. Please call the attorneys at the Finz firm. They will not back down and they will fight hard for the compensation you are entitled to.

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